Following Their Leaders: Political Preferences and Public Policy

Political elites offer policy platforms to voters, who adopt them; this book argues that policies are designed by the elite and the electorate has little say, making democratic institutions ineffective constraints on the exercise of political power.

Format: Hardback
Length: 200 pages
Publication date: 31 March 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Models of democratic decision-making often assume that voters have preferences and that candidates adjust their platforms to align with those preferences. However, the direction of causation is largely the opposite. Political elites present policy platforms to voters, and voters adopt those policies; they follow their leaders. In his book "Following Their Leaders," Holcombe argues that policies are designed by the elite, and the electorate has little say. Preferences for public policy tend to be anchored in a political identity associated with a candidate, party, or ideology; voters' preferences on most issues are derived from their anchor preferences. Holcombe contends that because citizens adopt the policies offered by the elite, democratic institutions are ineffective constraints on the exercise of political power. This volume explores political institutions that help control the elite who exercise political power and discusses the implications political preferences have on democracies.

Introduction:
Models of democratic decision-making assume that voters have preferences and that candidates adjust their platforms to conform with those preferences. This assumption is based on the idea that voters are rational and informed and that they can make decisions based on the information available to them. However, the direction of causation is often the opposite. Political elites offer policy platforms to voters, and voters adopt those policies; they follow their leaders.

Political Elites and Policy Platforms:
Political elites are the individuals who hold positions of power in government, such as politicians, policymakers, and bureaucrats. They are the ones who decide what policies to pursue and how to implement them. Elites often use their power to shape public opinion and influence the decisions of voters. They do this by presenting policy platforms that appeal to the interests of their supporters and by using propaganda and other forms of communication to promote their policies.

Voter Adoption:
Voters, on the other hand, are the individuals who cast their ballots in elections. They are influenced by a variety of factors, including political ideology, party affiliation, and personal beliefs. Voters may adopt a policy platform because they agree with the policies it promotes or because they believe that the party or candidate who supports it is more likely to win the election.

Following Their Leaders:
In his book "Following Their Leaders," Holcombe argues that policies are designed by the elite and that the electorate has little say in the process. He suggests that political elites offer policy platforms to voters, and voters adopt those policies because they follow their leaders. Holcombe contends that this dynamic leads to a lack of democratic accountability and a concentration of power in the hands of the elite.

Implications for Democracy:
The implications of Holcombe's argument are significant for democracy. If policies are designed by the elite and adopted by the electorate because they follow their leaders, then democracy is not truly representative of the people. The decisions made by the elite may not reflect the interests of the majority of voters, and this can lead to a lack of trust in democratic institutions.

Political Institutions:
To address the issue of elite control over policymaking, political institutions can play a crucial role. One example of a political institution that can help control the elite is the judiciary. The judiciary is responsible for interpreting and enforcing the law, and it can hold the elite accountable for their actions. If the elite violates the law or engages in corrupt behavior, the judiciary can take action against them.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, models of democratic decision-making often assume that voters have preferences and that candidates adjust their platforms to align with those preferences. However, the direction of causation is often the opposite. Political elites offer policy platforms to voters, and voters adopt those policies; they follow their leaders. This dynamic leads to a lack of democratic accountability and a concentration of power in the hands of the elite. Political institutions, such as the judiciary, can play a crucial role in controlling the elite and ensuring that policies are designed and implemented in the interests of the people.

Weight: 448g
ISBN-13: 9781009323161